The Scriptorium Writing Competition concluded last week, with 3 entries moving onto the finals for the chance to win the bronze, silver, and gold medals, as well as the Librarian's Choice Award for one other lucky participant. Listed below are the medal winners.
Winter 2012 Competition Winners
1st: Long Fiction Entry, Forlorn Hope, by Inarus
2nd: Poetry Entry, Victory Shall be Ours!, by Maximinus Thrax
3rd: Short Fiction Entry, Catherine, by HeirofAlexander
Librarian's Choice
- Long Fiction Entry, Artistic Representation, by Radzeer
Category Reputation Winners
50 Rep to runner-ups and 25 to second runner-ups Long Fiction Runner-Up: Diving Shadow, by Basileos Leandros I Second Runner-Up: Changes in North Korea: An Analysis of Recent Trends, by Diamat
Short Fiction Runner-Up: Shiranu ga hotoke, by gumption Second Runner-Up: The grief of war, by Ciloron-Celebmîr
Poetry Runner-Up: War, by Mhaedros Second Runner-Up: The Way of the Sword, by General Brewster
Nothing else to report here this time around. The Scriptorium will likely be seeking one or two librarians in the next month, so if you are interested be sure to send a PM to Hader to apply.
Our reviews for the Writing Competition medal winners.
1st: Long Fiction Entry, Forlorn Hope, by Inarus - Review by Påsan
Author: Inarus
Winter Scriptorium Writing Competition: First Place
The winner of the January Scriptorium Writers Competition this year is a truly dramatic piece of writing about the horrors of war and the sacrifices made in them. The story puts the reader into the mind of a young idealistic English junior officer in the Napoleonic Wars, freshly appointed to lead the "Forlorn Hope" charge in an attempt to wrestle Ciudad Rodrigo from French hands. Through his eyes the reader gets an avid and believable description of the horrors of the Napoleonic battles weighted against the young man's unshakable belief in his county and personal courage.
As a scenario that could have been pulled straight out of Napoleon: Total War it is indeed a great read for anyone that have a interest in historical warfare or just likes an action packed short story full of cannonballs and bayonets captured in readable violence. It is authentic enough to captivate the reader without going much into background detail or nuances that would take away from the drive of the short story. Absolutely a recommendable slice-of-life piece of Historical fiction.
2nd: Poetry Entry, Victory Shall be Ours!, by Maximinus Thrax- Review by SonofPeverel
Author: Maximinus Thrax
Winter Scriptorium Writing Competition: Second Place
Maximinus Thrax's poem, "Victory Shall be Ours!" sets the reader in the ranks of an army fighting in France. This is no ordinary army fighting for their king, this army fights for freedom from oppression, tyranny, and for the will of the people. By the end of this speech the reader can only be left with one thought: "Vive la revolution!!! Vive la France!!!!" Poetry submissions were great this time around but of all of them, this one definitely has the most lasting impression.
3rd: ShortFiction Entry, Catherine, by HeirOfAlexander- Review by StealthFox
Author: HeirofAlexander
Winter Scriptorium Writing Competition: Third Place
HeirOfAlexander's "Catherine" tells the story of a deeply conflicted lady who questions her relationship with her husband, but in the end remembers what it is that makes their love special. The story opens by showing Catherine's frustration with her husband, Robert, as he focuses on ruling the kingdom and directing his military campaigns. This military campaign is also a troubling concern for Catherine as she fears losing her two sons who she still imagines as her little babies. As Catherine worries over the future she begins to recall the past. She remembers her wedding day where Robert was dressed in armor shinning so brightly that one could not gaze upon it long. Her affection seems to grow as she reminisces, and she eventually calmly falls to sleep at peace.
-StealthFox
Librarian's Choice: Artistic Representation, by Radzeer - Review by Hader
It's always a pleasure to hold these writing competition's and receive magnificent pieces of writing that otherwise might not have existed. And we have the Librarian's Choice award for just such submissions to be recognized.
Radzeer's entry, Artistic Representation, was one that I and most librarian's felt was the most eloquent and had the best flow; and interesting stance taken in the writing and presentation of the piece. I'm sad it wasn't able to win on of the colorful medals in this competition but at the same time glad it didn't so I could give it this award myself (honestly the award I think is coolest to receive).
Radzeer's story here starts and ends a short but very beautiful plot detailing the musings of the spirit of a Ronin, and the details of his past life and his distaste towards it and that title of Ronin. We're in a modern bookstore, where a book about the Ronin is purchased by an eager young girl, whom you will later find out has an unexpected significance to our Ronin friend. It is a fairly short read though, and I cannot say much without completely giving away those details that make this a nice read. So get off your lazy bums and go read it already!
Thanks for reading the editorial this month. We hope everyone enjoyed this winter writing competition, and once again a big thank you to all those who took the time to participate. And congrats to the winners!